Esper Story: Li Ling

That does it for my longest exercise routine ever! My stomach's gonna kill me if I don't eat something.

H-hey! Hold on! That's Li Ling's food...

?!

Drink some water, Bro!

It's not that I don't want you to have any. I'm sure he doesn't mind. But you know Li Ling. That's how he rolls. Super duper spicy. It's not for us.

*Cough*Cough*

Something happen?

N-no! Not at all.

This is what your family sent you?

Yeah. Took a bit of doing to get this brand of chili powder. Spiciest in Tangton!

It's made by sun-drying Tangton Reaper Chilis. Then they ground 'em into fine powder.

Works with anything too. Don't like something? Add it. Get fantastic food in moments.

......

......

That looks deadly...

Why not cut out the middleman? And eat the chili powder by itself...

Heh. Finally got my hands on some authentic Tangton chili powder, in Gyrate!

We take our chili seriously in Tangton. Everything's gotta be perfect, ingredients, processes, everything!

We'll even blend all kinds together to hit the perfect mix of texture, smell, and spice.

Don't you guys wanna give it a try?

Thanks, but, uh... I've got a sweet tooth.

I can't stand spice.

Ahem. Uh... No thanks.

Hmph! Shame! I'll ask someone else.

Hey you guys, anybody wanna try my chili powder?

Best chili this side of Tangton, trust me. Only from Tangton. Try some.

I like spicy food. Okay.

With that recommendation, okay.

(Cough)

Water! Get me a glass of water!

Hello instructor. Lewis, Q, Brynn, and... uh, our other absentees had to request today off.

They've all had a run in with Li Ling's famous chili powder. It's a biological weapon, sir.

It's a hot day. You should keep yourself cool. Mentally as well as physically.

So how about an ice pop? Stay healthy, stay cool.

Hiss!

Oops, sorry Li Ling!

I've just gotten my powers. I'm still learning how to control these.

I'm so sorry!

No problem. Don't worry about it.

By the way, I'm curious... how was it when you first got your powers? Any trouble? Like with your extra arms?

None. None whatsoever.

I was only 8. So as a kid, it was... normal. Always has been.

Yeah, I get that. Children learn everything faster!

Heh. I guess you could say it took a little getting used to...

Then I realized I really am special. These extra arms are incredibly strong.

And, ever since, it's been great for a lot of things. Like arm wrestling.

I arm-wrestled my way past plenty of adults as an 8 year old!

You were doing all that when you were 8?!

Well, yeah. I was suddenly famous overnight.

Yeah. Your reputation precedes you. I mean, you're famous around here too.

How so?

Well... they told me to watch myself around you. Said you were a fearsome guy.

Fearsome?! Huh? Who said that?!

Slander! Come on. Tell me. I'm gonna make 'em pay... with six fists.

(I'd better keep my mouth shut...)

Uh, so what do your extra arms do? I mean, apart from enhancing your strength?

You get to do a lot of things others can't with two extra pairs of hands.

Like, uh... Let me think... Well, I guess I can cut my own hair if I feel like. Or give myself a massage...

Oh! I can play foosball on my own if I'm bored.

That's... awesome!

Unfortunately these wings only help me fly around.

They aren't much good for everyday stuff. Or even when I go on a mission mostly.

No way! Flying is an awesome skill on any mission!

We've all got our talents. I think a lot of Espers would kill to have a pair of these Blazing Wheels.

If you're not sure how to use your wings, maybe Raven could help?

I've seen clips of Raven fighting on TV. She's amazing!

Right? A real expert in aerial combat!

She can move fast in combat, real fast. And she knows how to shut down her enemies hard with that aerial boost.

Whoa! Yeah, right. I'll ask her to teach me for sure!

Q and Drew are good in a fight too and... I wish I could be more like them.

Gotta train harder from now on.

We've all been through that phase. Believe me, you can do it!

One more thing I wanna ask... What about when you sleep? Where do they go? Your extra arms?

I haven't... really had a good night's sleep since I got these.

The wings are just too big. Can't put them anywhere. They're so awkward.

...Not too much of a problem, I think. Just put 'em flat on the bed on either side?

Uh, hmm. I don't know. I'm not sure if that would help.

Oh! Try putting your wings behind you and go on your side.

Wait. That, uh, might not be very comfortable. That'd press them up against your back...

How about sleeping on your stomach? You could put your wings anywhere!

......

My arms though? Never been an issue. I just put 'em wherever. Where my other arms go.

Never had this problem before. What on earth is going on?

Lewis, check out the front page of ShrimpWay Videos!

Yeah? What is it? Another funny cat video?

You'll know when you see it! Come on. Look it up!

Who posted this?

Someone must've filmed us dueling last week. On the street.

It's trending! Wow. 100k views already!

Everyone's impressed, looks like.

Now I know what's up with my phone this morning. Too many notifications. Had to turn it off.

My official Union account has... wow. Ten, twenty thousand new followers. At least.

Crazy stuff. Makes sense now.

Hold on. I thought you never use your official account?

Yeah, right. Not a fan of social media.

You gotta use it now! We've got over 100,000 followers! We're big. Influencer big!

Huh. That was easy.

Yeah. I asked Q about it.

He said we'd better make hay while the sun shines. Post! Post as much as possible!

Like this: I just posted a new video where I'm saying hello to a few fans. It's trending massively!

Let's see the comments!

"IMO, Li Ling is stronger. Nobody can beat someone with six arms!"

Come on, dude. What's wrong with him?

Anything about me?

Yeah. Look.

"Where's Lewis?! Next video feature Lewis please!"

Alright. Let's give the people what they want. We'll take a quick video together. I'll post it.

They're waiting!

Nah. Not my thing.

Looks like they want more duels. Can't we livestream that?

And this time, I'm gonna beat the crap out of you!

Ha! Sure. You and what army?

Just don't go begging for mercy on camera!

Hey, everyone!

I suppose y'all have heard of me? Li Ling.

Enough sweet-talk. Let's get started.

I'll show you who's stronger!

Alright, alright. Let's begin!

A'right. What we got here? Lewis is doing his Fire Fists thing.

He's being reckless though. Leaving himself wide open...

The heck are you talking about?!

Someone has to commentate, right?

Hmph. Yeah right. You're just showing off.

?!

What the... It's not trending? Not even a little?

Kitty Poet? Who the heck is that?!

That's it? A few pets knocked us off the top spot?!

Why is this rubbish blowing up? Ain't got nothing on me...

Hold on... It's not so bad. Hah! Look at this cat...

What's so funny?

See that orange cat? It's so fat. It's like... a basketball! Haha!

...There goes our "duel".

Darn it, Tang Xuan. You've stood me up!

Hahaha!

Look! The Esper Li Ling just fell on his ass!

?!

You little imp! What's your name?!

Hey! What are you doing?! Let me go!

I-I'm Andy, from the Esper Academy....

I heard about you... about a little imp wreaking havoc on the Academy. Looks like I've got my man.

Right-o, that's yours truly!

...You're not an Esper. What are you doing in the Academy?

I wanna be a superhero! Duh!

I'm in the Esper Academy, dude! I'm already halfway there.

"The Esper Academy is dedicated to training promising young men, regardless of Esper status."

I'm gonna become a superhero with hard work and effort!

"Hard work," huh? Like what? Skipping class? Throwing stones? Get outta here.

...I've come to challenge you!

Teachers told me we're really similar. You know... "mischievous demons" were the words.

But you're not all that. I just knocked you down! Ha!

...I'm not gonna beat you up, kid.

Alright. Show's over. Now get back to class.

Nah. I'm not going back!

...It's boring. Why do you think I snuck out?

Well? Am I so bad for wanting to have some fun?

I did sneak out a lot when I was your age. Didn't take no for an answer.

So I guess... I guess I could show you around.

Really?!

I would have appreciated it when I was your age.

Ha! Bull's eye!

Hey, kid. You alright?

...W-what happened?

Ain't so safe around here. Could be a shop forgot to pay their protection fee. Maybe a new gang...

I'm a fighter. Just like you.

......

Okay. But don't leave my sight. And leave the big guys to me. Got it?

You don't mind?

Enough chitchat. Focus, kid. Time to rock and roll!

Something on your mind? Come on.

Did I just break some kind of record for the youngest person ever on a Union mission?

Heh. As if. Probably for being the youngest spectator.

Why'd you agree to let me fight?

My teachers will give you an earful... if they find out.

I told you. Nobody could stop me when I was your age, right?

No one's telling me what to do. So I ain't stopping you.

I didn't even help...

So why do you want to fight anyway?

I wanna beat the crap out of the bad guys! Like a hero!

Fair enough. You gotta fight sometimes to teach the bad guys a lesson.

So you don't like school. I'm with you there. But you don't need school to be a hero.

Don't listen to them. Heroes just gotta do what's right. They ain't being bound by "rules".

You really remind me of myself as a kid, you know.

Now get back there. And work harder. Then we might end up fighting together for real.

Phew! Alright. You're safe now.

That building looks like it's about to collapse!

Don't worry about it, y'all. Leave it to me!

Look! Over there!

That's Raven! One of the Esper Seven!

We're saved! She's incredible!

Raven! What are you doing here?

Just worried. Heard you took this mission on all alone.

Good thing I came! Who else could've cleaned up that mess you made?

It was just a little mistake. Accidentally knocked the...

"Rule number 80: Cooperation matters. Do not try to do everything on your own."

Do you copy?

Yes, ma'am.

Have you been out on a lot of missions lately? I've hardly seen you around HQ.

It's all the Miramon. Gotta do everything I can to keep folks safe.

Raven, you've got... pretty dark circles under your eyes.

Miramon reported down south. I'll head there now. You stay here to make sure that building gets stable, okay?

See you back at HQ!

Hey, wait! Let me help!

Please, come in.

They told me you got injured when I came back. Just here to check on you.

Just a little wound on my leg. No big deal.

I still need to deal with those Miramon down south later.

How long's it been since you took a break?

Just because you're an Esper doesn't mean you can... keep it up forever.

Any ordinary person would be complaining the Union's exploiting them in your shoes!

I'm no ordinary person. I'm the head of the Executive Department. It's my job to get involved.

Yeah? Well, you're just a patient in a hospital right now. So stay here. Rest.

Uh-huh. When the Miramon have the same attitude.

Right, but do you think you're the only one in the whole Union who can deal with them?

I called it in with the higher-ups before I came. So your priority, and it's official, is to rest. And take as much time as you need.

I'll take over, okay, until you're alright. I'll make sure everything's good and proper.

No, I won't allow...

"Rule number 80: Cooperation matters. Do not try to do everything on your own."

You wrote this yourself. So you gotta do it.

Just rest, okay? The sky's not gonna fall just because you ain't there to support it.

You're looking a lot better already!

I already told the doctors, many times, my wound's healed...

But they kept me there anyway. 'Til today.

Heh. Doctors, huh? Good to have you back. How about lunch to celebrate? My treat.

Sure, as long as I pick the location.

I was told you've done a great job on all your assignments.

We've both followed the rules. That's something worth celebrating.